Article of furniture



April 17, 1962 c. BALL ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheeti Filed April 8. 1960 Constance Boll W April 17, 1962 c, BALL 3,029,448

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 8, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Constance Ball 3,029,448 Patented. Apr. 17, 1962 3,029,448 ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Constance Ball, 35C Rye Colony, Rye, N.Y. Filed Apr. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 26,978 6 Claims. (Cl. -114) This invention relates to convertible articles of furniture. More particularly, the present invention relates to knock-down bed frames which are readily and conveniently assembled from a plurality of simple supporting elements and Which are advantageously employed in preparing lightweight, sturdy beds of varying sizes and disposition, e.g. adult and crib-size beds, camp cots, sleeping tents, divans, and the like. Illustratively, it has been known, heretofore, for children to be injured climbing out of cribs and like devices in which they have been kept beyond the desirable and practical period of growth for use thereof. This has often resulted from a reluctance on the part of the parents to place the infant in a full-size bed during this transitional growth period. The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages by providing a plurality of frame members which can be erected to form a crib and which can then, in turn, be converted with facility into a crib-size but adult type of bed wherein the crib mattress, spring, blankets and sheets can continue to be used. In addition, applicants frame support elements allow for employment of a variety of headboards, backboards, and guardrails for use on said bed as converted to satisfy any particular need or fancy. Indeed, if desired a canopy can be conveniently employed thereon. Also, the bed frame can be made to provide adult sleeping accommodations.

In this latter regard, it is noted, that the practice has usually been, in preparing that which is known to those skilled in the art as a Hollywood type of'bed, to set a box spring and mattress combination upon a plurality of screwed in legs which effects a weakening of the supporting spring. In addition, the proper attachment of head-boards, and the like thereto has presented a substantial problem.

The bed frame of applicant obviates these difficulties, as well, by providing firm securement and complete support for both the box spring and head board member without requiring the use of conventional attachment fixtures and tools.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, portable, knock-down camp cot as sembly which can be incorporated into conventional bed roll, and which is capable, in addition, of supporting a single or double tent cover, and thus forming a cot which is protected from the weather, insects and pests of various kinds, e.g. small animals and reptiles. Use of applicants bed frame in this manner is particularly advantageous as it eliminates the need for tent stakes and the concomitant labor involved therewith.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a multiple part, prefabricated, light but sturdy and readily assembled divan, sofa and/or trundle bed, structure.

Broadly, these and other objects are attained, accord- I ing to the present invention, by furnishing a plurality of metal support means including arched or U-shaped members disposed in end-to-end, e.g. quadrangular, relation to form a mnlti-sided enclosure, the angular extremities of each of said members being disposed upwardly at right angles to the horizontal or transverse base portion of said frame member to form the leg sections thereof. These leg sections terminate in substantially horizontally positioned orifices which are adapted to receive vertically disposed posts in telescopic slideable engagement; these same leg sections are, inaddition, positioned in contiguous, side-by-side relation to corresponding leg I sections of each of two adjacent arched frame members; each of said adjacent frame members being positioned at an angle to one another to form the enclosure referred to hereinabove. Sleeves or envelopes presenting an oblong orifice or opening at either end are adapted to slip over and encompass each pair of leg sections of adjacent frame members; thus securing them in parallel contiguity as noted above, and in bracing position for support of a substantially flattened resilient support body, bed spring, or the like; said support body of whatever nature being arranged normally in raised, substan-. tially horizontal position over said polygonal enclosure and secured in said position by means of the aforesaid paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of the frame members. The support means or posts also referred to above, are provided for receiving head, foot and side members, e.g. head board, foot board, guard-rails canopy or the like. It is noted that the various frame and support members described herein are normally prepared from suitable metals and preferably lightweight metals and alloys such as for example, aluminum.

The present invention, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with further features and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the assembled bed frame of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the bed frame appearing in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modification of applicants invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the invention comprises illustratively a bed frame or like assembly indicated in its entirety by 1, and comprising the four tubular arched or U-shaped frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6, each of side frame members 2 and 3 being of greater length than the end frame members 4 and 6. These same side frame members 2 and 3 are positioned in spaced substantially parallel alignment to one another; and the end frame members 4 and 6 are similarly disposed with relation to each other. Each of the end members is at the same time, positioned in substantially vertical relation to each of the side frame members 2 and 3 at opposite ends thereof. The angular extremities of each of the frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6 are directed upwardly at substantially right angles to the transverse tubular base portions designated by the numerals 8 (of the side frame members 2 and 3), and it) (of end frame members 4 and 6). These angular extremities form the legs 12 and 14 of said side frame members 1 and 2; and legs 16 and 18 of said end frame members 4 and 6. 'In addition, each of these leg elements is disposed in substantially parallel alignment with the other and remaining legs of said frame members; each of the aforesaid leg sections, 12 and 14, of said frame members 2 and 3 is positioned in contiguous side-by-side relation with the leg sections 16 and 13 of the end frame members 4 and 6 respectively. The terminal ends of each of the end and side frame members 2, 3, 4, and 6 present the orifices designated in each instance by the numeral 19, and are adapted to receive in slideable telescopic or concentric engagement therein an upper support member, e.g. posts 20 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Guard rails, head and/or foot boards and the like can be readily mounted on pairs of such interchangeable support members or posts 20 positioned as desired at the corners of the assembled frame work 1 as illustrated in these same FIGURES 3 and 4. In a similar manner, a canopy or tent cover can be mounted on the aforesaid posts 20 disposed at the four corners of the bed frame 1. Suitable buttons or other devices formed of rubber or like standard material capable of effecting frictional engagement may be atlixed along the transverse tubular base portions 8 and 10 of frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6 and most desirably at the angular extremities thereof to impart a substantially non-movable relation between the frame assembly 1 and the surface upon which it resides.

When any of the aforesaid orifices 19 are not employed in the manner described they may be closed, if desired, by means of a suitable cover cap or washer (not shown).

Provided at the corners of the framework are the sleeves 21, 22, 24 and 26 arranged to embrace and surround the adjacent and contiguous sets of legs, 12 and 16; 14 and 16; 14 and 18; and 12 and 18, respectively; at a point below the terminal orifices 19 of each of said pair of leg sections and above the angle formed by said leg sections With the transverse base sections, 8 and 10, of said frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6. These sleeves 21, 22, 24 and 26 are oblong in shape and, as seen in FIGURE 2, are provided with lateral flanges 28 and 30 on opposed sides of the upper terminal edges thereof. Registered in engagement by suitable fastener means with the flanges 28 and 3d are the L-shaped securement bars 32 and 32a extending in spaced parallel alignment above the transverse tubular base portions 10 f the end frame members 4 and 6. Alternatively, similar members may be disposed, in like manner, with relation to the transverse tubular base portions 3 of the side frame members 2 and 3, as exemplified by the transverse securement bar 34 shown in FIGURE 3. In either event each of the transverse bars, eg 32, 32a or 34 of the illustrated embodiments comprises a flat horizontally disposed surface 36 containing oblong orifices 38 and 40 at the extremities thereof corresponding in position and size with the interior cross-sectional dimensions of the sleeves 21, 22, 24 and 26, and continuous therewith; and having the aforesaid leg sections of adjacent frame members, i.e. paired leg sections, indicated by the numerals 12 and 16, 14 and 16, 14 and 18 and 12 and 18; positioned in linear or lengthwise contiguity, defining a continuous passage there through after having traversed the sleeve members 21, 22, 24 and 26. The inner ends of the horizontally disposed securement bars 32, 32a and 34 form angular upstanding flanges. These latter flange elements designated in each instance by the numeral 42 are, in turn, adapted to undercut the downwardly directed flanges indicated as 44 of the lateral or end borders 46 and 48 respectively of the otherwise substantially flattened resilient support body or spring 50; this interconnection results in firm securement of the aforesaid support body or spring 50. It will be evident that only the end securement bars 32 and 32a or side securement bars as illustrated by 34 will be employed at any one time. It will also be apparent that the sleeve members 21, 22, 24 and 26 can be desirably integrated wtih the horizontal securement bars, e.g. 32, 32a or 34 to form a unitary member. Thus, by way of illustration, the two sleeves 22 and 24 and the transverse L-shaped spring securement bar 32a referred to hereinabove can be prepared as a single unit.

As seen in FIGURE 1, each of the frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6 is represented as a single unit. A modification of this embodement is shown in FIGURE 3 wherein the side frame member designated as 3a and the end frame member 4a incorporate structural modifications which permit convenient adjustment in the length or Width of the bed framework 1 not provided for by the frame members 2, 3, 4 and 6 referred to hereinabove. This modification provides for compact packaging of the frame members for ease in shipment and enhanced portability.

In similar manner to the relation between the members 2, 3, 4, and 6, which normally form a rectangular enclosure, each of the frame members 20, 3a and 4a, are alike in structure, the side frame members illustrated by 2a and 3a, being normally of greater length than the end frame members exemplified by 4a. It is believed evident that while only a single modified end frame member 4a is shown in FIGURE 3, a like opposite member in parallel alignment therewith will be employed in those bed frames 1 where this modification is introduced. Thus, if the modified member 4a is introduced at one side of the bed framework 1 in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2, for example, a similar member will be employed in the opposing side of said framework. Due to this substantial identity in structure of the modified frame members, illustrated at 2a and 3a in FIGURE 3, it will suffice to describe only one such member in detail. Accordingly, the modification provides for two substantially identical and interchangeable L-shaped tubular frame elements 54 and 56 composed of horizontally disposed sections 58 and 60 respectively, threaded on their outer surfaces at their adjacent extremities; said extremities being secured by threaded engagement within the internally threaded opposite ends of the reducing pipe coupling 62, thus providing for shortening or lengthening of the side frame members 2a and 3a or where similarly coupled end frame members are employed, as indicated at 4:1, for adjusting the width of the end frame support. The angular extremities of the L-shaped tubular frame members remote from one another forming the leg sections of the modified frame members 3a and 4a being identical to those described heretofore in FIGURES 1 and 2 are therefore designated by the numerals 12a and 14a; and 16a and 18a respectively.

This threaded assembly, e.g. 3a, 4a, is particularly desirable where the bed frame of the present invention is to be used as a camp cot or the like and while adapted to a length suitable to accommodate at least one adult must also be capable of being dismantled to form the most compact package for transport, storage and the like.

A further modification involves the inclusion of at least two sets of roller tracks or guideways 63 as shown for example, in FIGURE 3, positioned transversely between the two side tubular base members 58 and 60 of members 2a and 3a as seen in FIGURE 3 (or the transverse base sections 8 of frame members 2 and 3 described hereinabove and shown in FIGURES 1 and 2) each of said roller guides or trolleys 63 adapted at its extremities for attachment to said base members by suitable means, such as for example, rounded hooks disposed over said base members. The guideways are U-shaped in cross-section and closed at one end. They are, in addition, adapted to receive roller members rotatably engaged along bars (not shown), positioned in fixed engagement with the underside of an article, for example, a single unit box spring and mattress in a trundle bed assembly or a storage compartment adapted to be inserted under said spring, i.e. 50 or 560! (the latter being described hereinafter); said roller bars being disposed above the roller tracks or guideways, and so positioned thereon as to permit the movable engagement of said rollers in said guideways.

Normally these roller guideways are positioned in parallel spaced relation to each of the transverse sections of the end frame members, intermediate between said transverse tubular sections of the side frame members, to which they are aflixed, as hereinabove shown, illustratively, in FIGURE 3. Alternatively, of course, they may be aflixed to the end frame members, e.g. 4a, and thus, disposed parallel to the side frame members 2a and 3a.

A still further modification of applicants invention is seen in FIGURE 4, wherein the lateral flanges 28 and 30 of the sleeves 21, 22, 24 and 26 as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 are omitted from the sleeve element 24a together with the transverse bars illustrated by the designations 32, 32a and 34 and the flanged resilient bed spring 50. This modification includes a spring-biased detent 64 hingedly attached to each of the sleeves, illustrated at 24a in the aforesaid FIGURE 4; and positioned to enter by means of a notch 66 atop each of said sleeves through a passage defined in each of the appropriate leg members, i.e. 12, 14, 16, 18, of the frame support members 2, 3, 4, and 6 or the modifications thereof exemplified by 12a, 14a, 16a and 18a of the frame members 2a, 3a and 4a. The resilient body or spring 50a also represents a modification of that seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. Thus, it is provided at its corners with oblong ring members 68 as seen in FIGURE 4, each of said rings being seated on the upper edge of each of the aforesaid modified sleeve mem bers 24a. Thus, it will be apparent that the bed frame work 1 of applicant can, as indicated hereinabove, be suitably and efficiently assembled without recourse to specialized fastener attachment means or tools for effecting such attachment.

What is claimed is:

1. A bed framework which comprises a plurality of arched frame members; said frame members being disposed in continuous end-to-end relation to define an en closed area; the angular extremities of each of said frame members forming, in turn, upwardly disposed leg sections; said leg sections of each of said frame members being disposed in contiguous, side-by-side relation to a corresponding leg of each of two adjacent arched frame members, each of said latter frame members being positioned at an angle thereto; sleeve elements disposed about each pair of contiguous leg sections of adjacent frame members to effect securement thereof in upwardly directed bracing position and adapted to support a substantially flattened body positioned over said enclosed area by means thereof.

'2. A bed framework which comprises a plurality of arched metallic frame members; said frame members being disposed in end-to-end relation to form a polygonal enclosure; the angular extremities of each of said frame members forming, in turn, upwardly disposed leg sections; each of said leg sections of each of said frame members being positioned in contiguous, side-by-side relation to a leg section at the angular extremity of each of two adjacent arched frame members; each of said latter adjacent frame members being arranged at an angle thereto; sleeves positioned about each pair of contiguous leg elements of adjacent frame members to effect securement thereof in upwardly directed bracing position and a resilient substantially flattened body positioned over said polygonal enclosure by means of the paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of said frame members.

3. A bed framework which comprises four metallic, tubular, arched frame members; said frame members being disposed in end-to-end relation to form a quadrangular enclosure; the angular extremities of each of said frame members forming, in turn, upwardly disposed tubular leg sections terminating in substantially horizontally positioned orifices; each of said leg sections of each of said frame members being disposed in contiguous, sideby-side relation to a leg section at the angular extremity of each of two adjacent arched frame members; each of which latter frame members is positioned at an angle thereto; sleeves positioned about each pair of contiguous leg sections of adjacent frame members at a point below the terminal orifices and above the angular bases of said leg sections to effect securement thereof in upwardly directed bracing position for support being arranged in raised, substantially horizontal position over said quadrangular enclosure and secured in said position by means of the aforesaid paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of said frame members.

4. A bed framework which comprises four metallic, tubular arched frame members; said frame members being disposed in end-to-end relation to form a quadrangular enclosure; the angular extremities of each of said frame members forming, in turn, upwardly disposed tubular leg sections, said leg sections terminating in substantially horizontally positioned orifices adapted to receive in slideable telescopic engagement vertically disposed posts; each of said leg sections of each of said frame members being positioned in contiguous, side-byside relation to a single leg section of each of two adjacent arched frame members; each of Which latter frame members is positioned at an angle thereto; sleeves positioned about each pair of contiguous leg sections of adjacent frame members at a point below the terminal orifices and above the transverse bases thereof to effect securement of said frame elements in upwardly directed bracing position for support of a substantially flattened resilient support body; said support body being arranged in raised, substantially horizontal position over said quadrangular enclosure and secured in said position by means of the aforesaid paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of said frame members.

5. A bed framework which comprises four metallic arched frame members disposed in end-to-end relation to form a quadrangular enclosure; each of said members being composed of two substantially identical L-shaped tubular frame elements; each of said elements defining a horizontally disposed section threaded on its outer extremity and at its opposite end a vertically disposed portion defining a leg section presenting an orifice at its terminal end; each of said orifices of said frame members being adapted to receive and telescopically engage an upper vertically disposed post; said threaded extremity of each of said two frame elements of said frame members being disposed in threaded engagement within opposite ends of an internally threaded coupling to form each of said frame members; sleeves positioned about each pair of contiguous leg sections of adjacent frame members at a point below the terminal orifices and above the horizontally disposed bases thereof, to effect securement or" said frame members in upwardly directed bracing position for support of a substantially flattened resilient sup port body; said support body being arranged in raised substantially horizontal position over said quadrangular enclosure and secured in said position by means of the aforesaid, paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of said frame members.

6. A bed framework which comprises four metallic, tubular, arched frame members; said frame members being disposed in end-to-end relation to form a quadrangular enclosure; the angular extremities of each of said frame members forming, in turn, upwardly disposed tubular leg sections, said leg sections terminating in substantially horizontally positioned orifices adapted to receive in slideable telescopic engagement vertically disposed posts; each of said leg sections of each of said frame members being positioned in contiguous, side-by-- side relation to a single leg section of each of two adjacent arched frame members; each of which latter frame members is positioned at an angle thereto; sleeves positioned about each pair of contiguous leg sections of adjacent frame members at a point below the terminal orifices and above the transverse bases thereof to effect securement of said frame elements in upwardly directed bracing position for support of a substantially flattened resilient support body; said support body being arranged in raised, substantially horizontal position over said quadrangular enclosure and secured in said position by means of the aforesaid paired sleeve-enveloped leg sections of said frame members; a plurality of guideways removably mounted upon and positioned between opposite and substantially parallel transverse bases of two of the aforesaid frame members, said guideways being adapted to receive the under surface of a container in slideable engagement therewith; said container being adapted for passage between the upwardly disposed angular extremities of at least a single frame member, and positioned under said resilient support body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hugh Mar. 17, 1942 Dodge Dec. 13, 1949 Norman et al Oct. 16, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Aug. 23, 1929 

